Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin joined Indiana Gov. Mike Pence in Henderson Thursday to sign a memorandum of understanding initiating the study and design of a new Ohio River bridge for Interstate 69, connecting Henderson to Evansville, Ind.

County and economic development officials of Kentucky’s four western river counties are collaborating to develop a regional economic development initiative driven by the Panama Canal expansion. The expansion, which is set complete next month, is expected to significantly increase container shipping along the Mississippi River.

Update: The contractor working on a portion of the I-69 corridor in western Kentucky was unable to install a temporary barrier last night as planned on the eastbound lane of I-24 in Marshall county Tuesday due to weather. The installation is now scheduled for 8 p.m. June 1.

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans to close KY 80 where it crosses the Julian Carroll-Purchase Parkway at Mayfield in Graves County starting Tuesday, March 1. There will be a 4 month detour on KY 80 to allow the existing overpass to be demolished and reconstructed. KYTC's Keith Todd says work also begins on the Calvert City interchange Monday.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awards two contracts for interchange upgrades on the I-69 corridor in Marshall and Graves Counties. Governor Matt Bevin announced both contracts totaling more than $60 million dollars will go to Jim Smith Contracting of Grand Rivers.